Need a hand selecting the right wheels for your car? We can help you with that! We’ve put together a few tips you should know before choosing your new wheels. Keeping in mind your budget, we’ll give you the best professional advice we can and ensure you get the right fitment and wheels for your car, within your budget.
There are countless options to choose from when upgrading or replacing wheels and several important things to consider ensuring your wheels perform and also function as needed.
Follow these 5 basic tips below to know how to select the right wheel for your car.
How to Know What Wheel Size to Get
Rims are measured in inches with a popular choice being 15, 16 and 17 inch sizes, however, there are many styles and sizes to choose from that suit your vehicle. It’s important to check the size before upgrading your rims as each car may come with different rim size options.
To start off, measure the diameter of your old wheels and check to see how it fits within the mudguard. This helps to ensure you have the correct wheel size that will fit with your vehicle.
Pairing tyres and rims may seem overwhelming to begin with, but once you know how, it’s super easy to choose the right wheels for your car. With many different rim styles to choose from, not all will be designed to fit, but we can consider your style and find the best options to suit.
Know The Parts
It’s important to know the various components of your wheel before selecting the right wheel for your car. The main parts of the wheels you want to know are the rim, which attaches to the tyre and the centre of the wheel which is the hub. Understanding the wheels parts and their function will help you during the buying process and you’ll know exactly what to look for.
Bolt Patterns
Another factor to consider to get the right wheel fit is the bolt pattern. The bolt patterns on wheels can be different so, it’s important to investigate your wheel’s bolt patterns to make sure your new wheel will match up with your car’s axel – this will ensure a secure fit.
You can check online to find your wheel specifications or inside the drivers door. Otherwise, you can measure them manually. Determine the offset of your original wheels to find out what the dimensions of your wheel are.
Follow these two primary measurements to identify what stud pattern your wheels are.
- How many bolts are used?
Most hubs and wheels use 4, 5 or 6 studs. By looking at the wheel hub, this can determine how many bolts are being used. - Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD)
This is a measurement taken from one stud across the hub centre to the opposing stud. As the centre of the hub sticks out further than the studs, it can be difficult to measure. Imagine drawing a circle between the centre of all the wheel bolts, then measuring the diameter of that to find your PCD.
Example; you would say you’re looking for a 5 stud wheel with 114mm PCD.
Wheel Offset and Backspacing
The offset of a wheel is the distance from the hub mounting surface to the centre line of the wheel. The backspace is the distance from the back of the mounting pad to the back lip of the wheel.
Taking exact measurements of these two features is important because getting offset and backspacing right, means you’ll get a wheel and tyre package that offers the look, handling and performance you’re after and wheels that are compatible with your car.
Research Your Options and Choose The Finish
Lastly, you’ll want to research your options. You want to make sure the wheels you choose fit with the overall aesthetic of your car and it is suggested that you search for wheels that are specific to your vehicle’s make and model.
Then choose your finish. This is the best part of buying wheels for your car, whether it’s gloss, metallic or chrome. With various styles to choose from, Manu’s Tyre Service can help you achieve your look.
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